This is the SOUTH EASTERN CARIBBEAN BIRD ALERT February 2006 summary of sightings through the Region. Sponsored by the T&T Field Naturalists Club, our aim is to promote birding and ornithology by fostering communication among resident and visiting birders regarding the study of birds in the region. The SCBA and information about TTFNC, T&T Rare Bird Committee and our Photo Gallery are accessible at "http://www.wow.net/ttfnc" . Reports should be sent to Martyn Kenefick tel 674.7609; Email "martynkenefick@hotmail.com" The T&T Rare Birds Committee requires details for species indicated with an asterisk.

From Guadeloupe, a total of 9 hours sea watching from Petite Terre nature reserve produced 116 MANX SHEARWATERS, 2 LEACH's PETRELS,3 unidentified petrel sp and 2 jaegar sp. At the same site, on 21st Feb, 31 BLUE WINGED TEALS and 2 GREEN WINGED TEALS were recorded. This brings the species count for this reserve to 138 .At Le Gosier, the GARGANEY, an adult male, reported last month was still present on 27th Feb. On the same date, 39 BLUE WINGED TEALS and a LESSER SCAUP were also found.

The BLACK DUCK reported last month from La Desirade Is was still present on 13th Feb and 7 SORAS were found there on 27th Feb. At least 1000 BARN SWALLOWS were seen at sunset over Gaschet Res on 11th Feb. Finally, from Port-Louis swamp a census on 11th feb found 25 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, 3 PRAIRIE WARBLERS, 3 PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS, 1 OVENBIRD, 1 BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER, 1 YELLOW RUMPED (MYRTLE) WARBLER and many YELLOW WARBLERS

From Tobago, single COCOI HERON * and AMERICAN COOT* were present at Bon Accord on 5th Feb and a BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER * was found along Niplig trace in th4 central ridge rain-forest. At Lowalnds, one of the lakes held 3 RING NECKED DUCKS * and 2 LESSER SCAUPS* on 6th Feb at least. In the same area single PIED BILLED GREBE and NEOTROPIC CORMORANT * were reported on 8th Feb. On several dates during the month, at least one WHITE TAILED TROPICBIRD has been seen from the main lookout on Little Tobago

Whilst so far un-substantiated, there are persisting reports of a FERUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL in the Lowlands area. We would urge any finders to report/document this potential 1st for Tobago

In the northern range of Trinidad, there have been several sightings of the TRINIDAD PIPING GUAN* and SCALED ANTPITTA * reported last month in the Morne Blue and Paria junction areas. A male SWALLOW TANAGER was found at Las Lapas on 17th Feb. Also seen were ORNATE HAWK EAGLE, 2 CHESTNUT WOODPECKERS and 6 YELLOW LEGGED THRUSHES.

In eastern Trinidad, the first reported PLUMBEOUS KITES of the season were at Nariva swamp on 17th Feb and most belatedly the first reported PIRATIC FLYCATCHERS of the season (they are often present from late December) were calling from the Toco Rd on 20th Feb

On the west coast of Trinidad, a flock totaling at least 4,000 DICKCISSELS were seen flying south towards Chaguanas on 14th Feb. The long staying RING BILLED GULL and an adult LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL were present at Orange Valley on 16th Feb and a COCOI HERON was in Caroni swamp on 17th Feb.

From south west Trinidad , a YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO was found in San Francique on 17th Feb, and a hike along the river bank at Sudama Steps on the 18th produced single COCOI HERON, CRIMSON CRESTED WOODPECKER, 2 NORTHERN SCRUB FLYCATCHERS, 6 SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHERS, a BLACK WHISKERED VIREO * and 2 LONG WINGED HARRIERS.

From south Trinidad a morning spent in Guyaguyare and Trinity hills produced 83 species including 2 DOUBLE TOOTHED KITES, a RUFOUS CRAB HAWK *, 2 GREAT BLACK HAWKS *, 2 BAT FALCONS, a CRIMSON CRESTED WOODPECKER, 3 STREAKED XENOPS, 2 BRIGHT RUMPED ATTILAS, 2 BLACK WHISKERED VIREOS *, a CARIBBEAN MARTIN *, and a BLACKPOLL WARBLER

From central Trinidad, a CRANE HAWK* was found at Carlsen Field on 27th Feb

NEW GUADELOUPE BIRDING WEBSITE A new birding website has been launched "www.amazona-guadeloupe.com with text in both English and French This includes an excellent gallery of photographs and is highly recommended . RARE BIRD REPORTING :- many of the identifications from Trinidad and Tobago reported in the SCBA are tentative. The T&T Rare Birds Committee, founded in 1995, requests details for all rare birds observed (see Species Review List at our website). Please submit details to the TTRBC Secretary : Martyn Kenefick, 36 Newalloville Ave, San Juan - Email "martynkenefick@hotmail.com"